Suspect Surrenders In Murder Case

Friday, November 23rd 2007, 5:07 pm

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- A Muskogee man authorities say is the chief suspect in the killing of his 19-year-old stepdaughter has surrendered in Haskell County. Muskogee County Chief Deputy Terry Freeman says 43-year-old Jerry DeWitt Raney was arrested Friday on unrelated charges of assault, intimidation of a witness and planning to perform acts of violence and domestic assault.

Muskogee County Chief Deputy Terry Freeman says lawmen from several agencies surrounded the home Raney was visiting Friday in rural Haskell County for the holidays. Jerry DeWitt Raney is being held without bond in the Muskogee County jail.

Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson says Raney is the chief suspect in the death of Sara Smart, whose body was found in August 2006 inside a barrel at a farm pond about five miles west of Haskell.

Pearson says he plans to file a report about Raney's alleged involvement in Smart's death with Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore within two weeks.

Related Story:

8/7/2006 Body Found In A Barrel In Muskogee County